WITH so much uncertainty over the futures of Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede, and with Chris Brown battling another injury, it must be impossible for Gary Bowyer to plan who will lead the line this season.

But at the opposite end of the field the Rovers boss should have no such concerns.

Goalkeeper is the one position in his small but tight-knit squad that you could say is overstocked.

Jason Steele and Simon Eastwood battled it out for the number one spot last season.

But there can be no doubt that youngster David Raya must now also be considered a viable candidate.

Of Rovers’ trio of keepers, Raya has played the most minutes in pre-season.

Ninety against Tranmere and 90 more against Bury on Tuesday, 77 against Rochdale and 45 against Accrington, the talented 19-year-old has certainly been given his chance to stake his claim to be Bowyer’s first choice.

Is Raya ready?

Despite shaky moments versus Accrington and Bury, I would suggest, yes, he is.

Anyone who has watched his mature performances for the U21s, and for the senior side against Leeds and Ipswich at the back end of last season, would testify that he is a player of huge promise.

But would I start with him when the real action gets under way on Saturday week?

I would say, no, as I feel Steele, who had a solid debut campaign at Ewood, is the man for the job.

The former England U21s international must surely know, however, that it is no longer only Eastwood who is breathing down his neck.

But, whoever gets the nod against Wolves, it is time for Rovers to show some consistency between the posts.

You have to go back to the club’s last season in the Premier League, and to the now departed Paul Robinson, for the last time it boasted a keeper that was truly recognised as its number one.

That must change.

If you look at most successful sides in the Championship they have a settled shot-stopper – and a settled back-four.

After on picking one from Steele, Eastwood and Raya, Bowyer’s other big choice is who to select at the heart of his defence.

Matt Kilgallon, having finished last season in such impressive form, would have every reason to feel hard done by if his name was not on the team-sheet against Wolves.

That leaves Bowyer to choose between his captain, Grant Hanley, and his last major signing for money, Shane Duffy.

It is a very difficult decision.

But it is one he and his coaching staff have to get right.

Should they do that, and should Rovers become more resolute than they were last season, then that would go some way, at least, to compensating for the loss of one of Rhodes or Gestede.